to britain , which was of vital economic importance to britain . so severe was this threat that a major invasion of the spanish philippines had been planned from british india during 1797 , but had been called off following the treaty of campo form ##io in europe and the possibility of a major war in india between the british east india company and the kingdom of mysore . to ensure the safety of the merchant ships gathering at macau in the winter of 1797 – 98 , the british commander in the east indies , rear @ - @ admiral peter rain ##ier , sent a convoy to china escorted by the frigates hms sy ##bill ##e and hms fox and commanded by captain edward cooke .
to britain, which was of vital economic importance to britain. so severe was this threat that a major invasion of the spanish philippines had been planned from british india during 1797, but had been called off following the treaty of campo formio in europe and the possibility of a major war in india between the british east india company and the kingdom of mysore. to ensure the safety of the merchant ships gathering at macau in the winter of 1797 – 98, the british commander in the east indies, rear @ - @ admiral peter rainier, sent a convoy to china escorted by the frigates hms sybille and hms fox and commanded by captain edward cooke.